Mystery surrounds star Ewan's pro cycling future

The immediate future of Australian cycling star Caleb Ewan is unclear, with the sprinter no longer listed among Jayco AlUla's riders.

The website of the Australian-based WorldTour team does not have the 30-year-old on their roster, despite Ewan having a contract with them for this season.

Ewan is not on the start lists for Sunday's national championships road race in Perth or the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, also this month.

He has missed the Tour Down Under only once since 2014.

There are unconfirmed reports Ewan's career is in limbo after negotiations for a team transfer fell through.

It continues a massive career stall for Ewan, who has struggled to regain form over the last three seasons.

Ewan was at the peak of his powers in 2021 and went into the season aiming to become only the fourth rider to win stages at the three Grand Tours in the one year.

He is already among only five Australian riders to win stages over his career at all three Grand Tours - the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana.

Ewan's 2021 ambitions were on target - he won two stages at the Giro - but the sprint ace suffered a badly broken collarbone when he crashed at the end of stage three in the Tour.

He has not won a Grand Tour stage since. Ewan started last year well, winning the criterium at the Australian road championships.

Bu he only had three wins for the season, a lean haul for a sprinter and especially for a rider of his talents.

Ewan left the Belgian team Lotto Dstny at the end of 2023, rejoining Jayco AlUla, where he had made his professional debut.

His management has declined to comment, directing media to Jayco AlUla, and they have been contacted.